Hairspray

Hairspray (G) * * * *

Dance Fever!

Catch the beat. Toe tappers and those into a slice of North Americana will find director Adam Shankman delivers the goods in Hairspray, a buoyant musical from Alliance Atlantis Releasing now turning folks on at the Scotiabank Theatre as well as at Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

1962 was a pretty eventful year. That year saw the Cuban Missile Crisis take hold as well as the first James Bond film, Dr. No. Racial tensions were mounting across the United States and one lowly Baltimore lass somehow gets caught in the cross fires. Revolution wasn't just the name of a late 60s Beatles album for that term about sums up the life of one Tracy Tumblad.

Born to dance was this girl's calling and she absolutely worships a dance show on local television. Teens across the city are tuned into the Corny Collins show, flagship youth programming for successful WYZT T.V. Led by the always smiling Corny this show is must see viewing for local teens. Tracy and best friend Penny Pingleton make sure they're always in front of the boob tube at 4:00 P.M. shart, classes at Patterson Park High School be damned.

Dreams die hard for this working class lass who suffers (?) from being a touch overweight. Not one to let her hopes dash Tracy goes that extra effort to become part of the Corny Collins juggernaut. Pretend for a minute that you want to audition for American Bandstand and it's not hard to see the attraction of this show for average kids.

Behind the scenes, however, are obstacles galore that confront anyone hoping to appear on the show, not the least of which is a hidden rule of only white anglo saxon protestants need apply. Station higher ups do allow a token time slot for non whites to appear but having someone who's not too pretty and definitely on the hefty side appear on camera is a definite no no.

Watch the sparks fly as Tracy and co. take on the establishment. Based on the hit John Waters' screenplay, Hairspray works as a musical and as a social commentary. Fantastic acting from all concerned highlight this dynamic picture of a moment in time when one girl tries to make her dreams come true.

Newcomer Nikki Blonsky sings up a storm and acts her heart out as Tracy a girl really put through the ringer. Class warfare erupts on the dance floor as discrimination and humiliation rise to the fore. Tremendous choreography of the dance numbers will definitely have your toes tapping as numerous racial taboos are confronted head on in this contagious mix of hip tunes and standout acting.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns) simply sizzles as the vexing station manager with James Marsden (X-Men) all teeth as the flashy Corny Collins. Love interests aplenty flourish among this teen set with Amanda Bynes (She's the Man), Elijah Kelly (28 Days) and Zac Efron all highly memorable as teens who cross Tracy's path. Fun elders on site include John Tavolta (Saturday Night Fever), Christopher Walken (A View to A Kill) and Queen Latifah (Bringing Down the House) who play poignant parts in this rousing 117 minute musical triumph.

Prepare to go out on a winning note with Hairspray, a deftly entertaining look at Baltimore in 1962 with all its warts, struggles, triumphs and heartaches.